One Realm Beyond Read Free

Cantor in the eye, the signal that what he was about to say held great importance. “The terror in the minds of the people far outreached the authentic threat of the situation. Some of our people ran to the other side of the plane and jumped off.”
    “Couldn’t the guild do something? Aren’t they in charge of organizing the powerful and defending the weak?”
    At the time of the discussion, Odem had wagged his head in disgust as he tried to explain.
    “The guild had less power back then. Chomountain the Wise was wise. He walked among the people on every plane. Then he disappeared with no one to replace him. He took over from Avamountain. The Age of Ava was tranquil.Dargamountain passed his mantle down to Ava. And before Darga was Sentarmountain. The Age of Sentar was prosperous.
    Cantor sought to impress his mentor. “What about Ladomountain? Didn’t he come before Darga?”
    Odem scowled at Cantor. “Of course, he did. Between Darga and Sentar, I’m glad to see you’re paying attention. I wasn’t able to trick you.”
    The old man rubbed his palms over the thick material of his trousers. “But we’re talking about power. Without the check of the right hand of Primen, the guild is powerful beyond common sense. If they’ve grabbed the power, they took it from someone. Who?”
    He cocked an eyebrow in Cantor’s direction. “Is it coincidence that no action has been attributed to the old wizard for many, many years? Some say Chomountain is dying.”
    That was the last time Odem talked openly about the guild. For the last several years, both Ahma and Odem had refused to talk of the guild or the missing wizard. As far as Cantor knew, kind and just Chomountain remained elusive. And from the worry etched on his mentors’ brows, he discerned that the guild became ever more a concern. When he asked questions now, Ahma warned him it was better not to talk about those who had the power to harm.
    So here he stood, reduced to eavesdropping to glean information. Odem gestured at the model floating over the table. “Ahma, you can see, can you not, that Richra and Derson are edging too close?”
    Ahma nodded.
    Cantor watched, enrapt, as two spoons lost their bearings, slid sideways, and crashed together. They fell, knocking the saltshaker out of the way. Before the three planes stabilized,the woodchip representing Alius began to spin. Slowly, then with more speed, the plane tilted one way and then to the opposite side.
    Ahma gasped. “The worst I’ve ever seen, Odem. Can we alter the course of Richra and Derson?”
    “Perhaps.” Odem allowed his replica of the planes to collapse. The items clattered as they fell onto the table.
    Cantor took a step into the room. “Will I be allowed to help?”
    Odem jerked around, then stood to come pound Cantor on the back. “There you are. Today’s the day. By the time you put your head on the pillow tonight, you’ll be an official initiate.”
    “And then I’ll be eligible to help, right?”
    Odem put his large hand on Cantor’s head and rubbed. Cantor tried to duck, but Odem snagged him in a headlock and continued to torture his scalp.
    “Ahma! Pull this brute off of me.”
    The old lady cackled and winked, causing Odem to release Cantor. The old man backed up until he was stuck to the wooden doorframe behind him. He gave Ahma an accusatory look. Cantor slid past and rested one hip against the table. Ahma picked up one of the forks and jabbed his side. “Move. No manners! Did Enid the Cow raise you?”
    Cantor straightened and tossed his impudent grin at Ahma and then Odem, who still stood pinned to the entryway.
    “Thank you, Ahma.” With a bow, Cantor presented the fish to the old lady who stood for grandmother, as well as mentor, in his life. “Our dinner.”
    “And the only reason I helped you escape that old reprobate. Didn’t want you to drop our meal.” She nodded at Odem, and he stepped away from the door.
    Odem shivered as if shaking his body free of the